A/N:

Hey guys! I'm back! Katara is soon to exit our story for a little while as she is reaching her deep sleep. I'll try not to make she isn't gone for too many chapters but be ready. Our Heroine will come back with things figured out. We have other characters that will be taking her spotlight. Mostly Kya and Zhiar as they'll have their own storyline happening. Ozai and Zuko's storyline is about to take off soon. Can't wait for all of you to read what I have planned for this story. The action and excitement and twists and turns are about to start rolling in so get ready my lovelies!

Chapter 7:

Katara was late. She couldn't believe how late she was. Sleeping so late that her own daughter had to wake her up. It was probably the slumber. It was getting closer. She didn't know how long she had but she prayed she had enough time to get everything done before she did fall asleep for seven years.

Arriving at the prison, Katara took the tray from the guards' station and headed up to the top floor where Ozai's isolated cell was. She took a deep breath and prepped herself before she entered. She never knew what he was going to throw her way and so she needed to always be ready for it.

Entering, Katara kept her eyes on the tray she carried in and walked forward to the cell bars. As she knelt down and served him his meal, Katara noticed one strange detail.

Yesterday, Shin had come to ask her where Ozai was and to her knowledge, he was going to free Ozai from here. So...what the hell was going on?

Looking up at Ozai, Katara furrowed her brows. "Why aren't you gone?"

"Hmm?" He cocked his head to the side.

"Shin. He was here. He is here. Why hasn't he come to break you out?" Katara eyed him suspiciously. "What are you planning?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Ozai lounged on his side and watched the waterbender as she stared at him accusingly. "I'm not planning anything. I just figured I'd stay. Give you something better to do than cry in the shower while you claw your skin."

Katara's eyes widened. "Y-yo-you saw me?!"

Nodding his head as he popped a grape in his mouth from his tray, "You're a truly sad sight to see, Katara. I never expected to see you that way and I'm sorry if I have anything to do with it."

The waterbender sat there dumbfounded. Did he just apologize to me? Has he ever apologized to me? Katara was so lost for words. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be but yet, it was.

"I didn't realize my actions would have caused you grief as it has and I see now why you felt this was the only way."

He can't be serious right now, could he? La, Katara was in a very strange predicament. Ozai was apologizing to her and he sounded sincere.

"I won't leave unless it's what you want." Ozai sat up and moved closer to the bars.

Katara watched his hand reach out to her and then felt it caress her cheek. Her eyes lifted to his again as she shed a tear.

"I told Shin where you were. I wanted him to help you escape. I even wrote a letter to send to Omashu for you. I-I I don't want you in here."

"I chose to stay, Katara. I figured it would give me more time with you being here."

Pulling away from him, Katara dropped her gaze and looked to the syringe next to her. Ozai held out his arm for her. He would stay just a little longer. For her sake. And when he did leave, he'd do so without harming her or causing her any more issues. He knew she was tired of him and his ways. He could see that now. She was tired of caring about someone that didn't care to watch their actions and how they affected those around them.

At the end of the day, Katara had been good to him. Loyal and faithful. He shouldn't force her to be more when he had done little to ease her suffering. He was sincerely apologetic for what he had done to her.

…..

Zhiar had returned to school and become even more popular with his peers. Everyone was talking about how the dean and a teacher confirmed his father's existence and how amazing it was that this had happened. He was bombarded with questions and comments about his father from everyone. He didn't even know how to respond. But as he relived the days he spent with his father, Zhiar was more than happy to impress everyone with what he had to say.

Jin Su, who convinced him to write his mother, even invited him to her family's estate that was located near the school. Zhiar was so happy that he couldn't help but go to every class with a smile on his face.

"Hey, Zhiar, heard you're going to Jin Su's place." His friend Toshi snickered as he punched his arm playfully.

Zhiar blushed and looked away. A few weeks before his mother showed up, Zhiar confessed he had a crush on Jin Su. All his close pals knew. He probably shouldn't have said anything to them about it.

"Well, at least her family is high in rank and status." Toshi said.

Shrugging his shoulders to play it off, "It's just to meet her brother, Yoshiro."

"Zhiar, he's the head of the Fujioka clan! That's big!" Toshi's eyes were wide.

Head of the clan?

"Whoa, Zhiar don't mess this up! If you impress her brother, who knows, your mom might get a letter to arrange a marriage!"

"But I'm only seven." Zhiar was confused.

Toshi laughed and patted his friend on the back, "I've been engaged since before I was born and so has pretty much everyone here. You're a bit late but don't worry, Yoshiro might like you and then you might end up engaged. Just keep reminding him you're the son of Fire Lord Ozai."

Zhiar felt overwhelmed. He didn't know he was going to be auditioning for an marriage arrangement. He just thought he was going over a cute girl's house and that would be all. But he guess there was more to living the life of a highborn than he thought. Hopefully, he didn't blow it.

When the day came for him to visit Jin Su's family estate with her, Zhiar was incredibly nervous. He didn't know what to do or say when he arrived at the massive estate. It looked like a mini palace. Jin Su took his hand and smiled at him.

"Come on, my brother is waiting for us."

I want to go home. The little seven thought as he swallowed hard.

However; as he greeted the clan's head in his office on his knees bowing respectfully upon meeting the head of the clan, Zhiar was about to relax when Yoshiro laughed and told him it was not necessary. The clan's head led the two children to the lovely garden of the estate, to Zhiar, it was even more beautiful than the few at the palace. They were led to the patio area of the garden and all took a seat on the cushions on the stone pavement. Already, snacks were prepared for them and ready to be consumed. Zhiar wanted a cookie so badly, anything to settle his cowering stomach.

"Jin Su, poor your friend some tea. He looks a bit ill." Yoshiro chuckled at the little boy.

Jin Su smiled and picked up the teakettle, pouring a cup for her guest. She then picked it up as if it were so precious and deliquette and placed it down in front of Zhiar on the low table they sat at. Zhiar thanked her before bringing the teacup to his lips as he did, Yoshiro watched him carefully.

"I hear your father is alive." The clan's head said abruptly.

Nodding his head as he set the teacup down, "He is. He and my mother showed up a last week to get me from school."

"And how is he? Well, I hope."

"Yes."

"Good. I would hope our Lord was doing fine as our country is in desperate need of him." Yoshiro was poured a cup by his kid sister and he picked it up to drink. "Do you think he has any plans to take back the throne?"

Zhiar swallowed hard and drank some more tea. He really didn't know. His father hadn't said anything about that to him, he wouldn't think is father would. He just played games with them and spent time with them. Whatever he was up to, the little boy didn't know. But he did know his mother betrayed his father. He watched as she had his father taken away to prison. So maybe his dad was up to something and his mother didn't like it. They did used to be enemies.

So Zhiar told him this.

Yoshiro eyed the boy and then gazed away. So that water woman is a problem. I'll have to deal with her.

When the visit was over, Zhiar said goodbye to Yoshiro and Jin Su. Once the head of the family left, Jin Su reached up on her tippy toes to plant a kiss on Zhiar's cheek. His eyes widened as his face flushed.

"Thanks for coming over, today. Let's do this again some other time."

"Sure." Zhiar said with a smile as he touched his face. She likes me!

Katara returned from Ozai's cell to her chambers after he told her that he was staying in prison. She felt a weight lifted off her shoulders and a light-hearted feeling come over her. He said sorry. It was the one thing she wanted to hear that she just knew she never would but did. It made her incredibly happy and full of joy. She needed to have heard that.

Now, he understood her. Understood her hurt. Her pain. Her suffering. He knew now the extent of what he had done to her and he wanted to make it right. Atone for his sins and transgressions against her. Whether they were intentional or not. He decided to remain in his cell until she felt he had paid in full his wrongdoings. Though it would take more than rotting in a cell for her to forgive him completely, she knew it was the first step to forgiveness. Now all she needed to do was find the same path to her own forgiveness. What will it take for her to be redeemed?

Kya came upon her as she stood in the sitting room of her chambers. She signed to her mother that Zuko wanted to see her. But Katara wasn't quite in the mood to see Zuko just yet. She wanted to bask in what she heard Ozai told her. And do so with her daughter in her arms.

Lounging on the sofa, Katara told her daughter to come forth as she pulled the little girl into her arms and hugged her to her chest. She stroked her hair as she pressed her lips to the crown of her head. Kya embraced her mother back.

"I love you and your brother so much. I want you to always know that. No matter what, know that mommy loves you both." Katara said with slightly teary eyes.

Kya lifted her head from her mother's chest and gazed at the woman. Katara smiled at her and stroked her hair.

"Tonight, I'll let you visit your father." Katara said.

The little waterbender smiled. She couldn't wait to see him. Ever since she and her brother watched him be taken back off to prison, they had worried they'd never see him again. But now, she was.

Signing to her mother, *Can I bring the Pai Sho board?*

Nodding her head, Katara kissed Kya's forehead. "Of course, my love."

The mother and daughter cuddled one another some more before a knock on her chamber doors interrupted them.

Getting up to answer, Katara opened the door to see the last person on earth she had expected to see.

"Sokka?!"

"Sorry, Katara. I tried to reach you before you left this morning to tell you." Zuko said as he stood right beside the tribesman.

Staring with a numbness towards his sister, Sokka looked her over and saw she hadn't changed much in appearances. Just a slightly taller and a bit darker complexion wise. Her hair had grown back out, much longer than before. But nothing had changed much about her. And he didn't deem this a good thing.

Zuko noticed the awkwardness between the two siblings and told Sokka that he would show him to his guest chambers. The tribesman said nothing as he stared down his sister. He sucked his teeth as he turned to leave, wanting to settle in before he dealt with her.

Katara made eye contact with Zuko, who apologized again. He was going to tell her sooner but he only found out late last night that Sokka would be arriving in the morning.

"We need to talk." Katara folded her arms and gritted out.

Scratching his head, "I agree. But look, I'll be right back."

"Hurry."

Zuko hurried and made his way back in no time, sitting down as his sister worked on her drawings on the floor. Katara came in with tea and snacks, setting it on the low table.

"Why is he here?" Katara eyed Zuko as she swiped a cookie off the tray she brought in.

Sighing, Zuko dug in his sash and pulled out two scrolls. "He brought these with him and said your father wanted him to protect you while Ozai is on the loose."

Honestly, Katara had no idea how to respond or feel about that. While she should be happy seeing as her father still cares about her wellbeing. It upset her that he felt she needed protection. Especially after six years of exile. It made her feel like she was more so being spied on than anything. Like now that he knew from Suki and Jee that Ozai was out of his original cell, he wanted to be sure she didn't do anything treacherous.

"I wouldn't worry about Sokka so much right now. We're having Northern Water Tribe guests later this week. Arnook wrote me." Zuko reached in his pockets and remove another scroll. "He wants to see you."

Dear La. She hoped he hadn't come to visit for what she was thinking because she was sure she had been very clear about how she felt on his proposition when she collapsed a temple on everyone. Sighing, the waterbender snatched the scroll from Zuko and tore the seal off. Her father's and grandmother's letters would have to wait.

Dear, Princess Katara:

I hope this finds you well. I, Chieftain Arnook, plan to visit the Fire Nation to reach a trading agreement with the current Fire Lord but in the meantime, I would like us to re-explore what I do believe we have between us. You were very kind and gracious when I was held prisoner under your former husband, Ozai's reign. And not to mention, the kindness you showed me and my late wife after our daughter passed. I believe your exile has been long enough. Please, with me, consider the opportunity to rejoin your family and people of the tribes. I will be in the Fire Nation soon.

Sincerely,

Chieftain Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe.

Katara glared at the scroll and tore it up. "He wants another chance at marrying me, no doubt. His wife passed."

"Well, that's insane. Doesn't he remember what happened last time?"

"He probably hit his head or something because I'm not marrying any while your jealous father is eating people's arms off." Katara sat up from the sofa. "I'll need to see Arnook as soon as he gets here so I can have a word with him. Obviously, I don't want him to think there's even slightly a chance."

Zuko agreed. Besides, Katara had feelings for him. His father told him. So he needed to figure out a way to capitalize on that before too long had gone by. He wasn't getting any younger and Katara was falling into a slumber. It was long past due for him to marry and have his own family. And he wanted it with no one but Katara.

Standing up too, Zuko straightened himself out and decided it was now or never.

"Hey, Tara, I wanted to know if sometime this week, you'd like to go out for dinner. Just you and I." He cleared his throat, trying to soon confident.

Katara looked at him strangely, "Why?"

"Oh, I just figured we could unwind together. Go in our disguises. Get away from the palace for a bit." Zuko suddenly felt nervous and under pressure.

Cracking a smile, Katara nodded. "Sure."

"Great!" He said all too excitedly before he had to clear his throat again and play it off. "Yeah, great. I guess I'll come by later this week to grab you and we can head out."

As the Fire Lord left, Katara sighed and shook her head. Zuko was acting weird again. But when was he not acting weird? He was weird by default. But that was necessarily bad. She liked him that way. It was cute. Especially for a Fire Nation male. All of the ones besides him that she knew were cocky pricks. Zuko was different, in the best way. Here he was Fire Lord and he found it insanely difficult to ask a girl out. Geez, took him long enough. Seven years he waited to ask her out on a date and they were closer than anyone. Why did he take so long?

The next day, Katara took her daughter with her to see Ozai and as she stopped by the guard's station to pick up the tray for the unnamed prisoner on an isolated hall on the top floor. The guards all whispered to themselves.

"I'm telling you, Lord Ozai is up there. Why you think she's bringing her child with her?"

"I know right! Fire Lord Zuko only lets the elites up there with himself and Lady Katara included."

"So that attack?"

"It was a statement. Lord Ozai is back. We better prepare for when he escapes."

"Yeah."

Katara sighed and ignored the men talking amongst themselves. She held the tray in one hand while holding her daughter's hand with the other. And when they arrived at Ozai's cell, she heard voices coming from within. Pushing the door open, Katara dropped the tray immediately and grabbed her daughter, hauling her in her arms. Kya dropped the Pai Sho board she had brought with her to play with her father.

"Katara, wait!" Ozai called.

Shin sighed and shook his head. "I'll go bring her back."

The former nobleman started out the door after the two waterbenders but then he thought he'd just force her back up here the easy way. He didn't feel like running. Plus, he knew for a fact his bloodbending outmatched hers. She didn't have the same practice as he did. So, Shin forced the waterbender back to him and his master. When he saw her walk back up the stairs and come back up the hall, Shin grinned.

"Good girl." He saw the eyes of terror on the woman's face as she held tight to her small daughter.

Forcing the waterbender to sit down on the floor, Shin patted her head and eyed his master. "I'll be back with more food." Ozai wanted to strangle Shin for using that wicked ability on Katara, he growled.

When Shin left, Kya wiggled out of her mother's arms and went to where she dropped the board game on the floor. The little girl picked it up and ran up to the cell bars. Unable to communicate with her father through sign language as he did not understand, Kya figured she play a game with him.

Smiling at his little girl, "So you've come to challenge me, small one."

Kya giggled and nodded her head.

Katara reeled herself together for sake of her daughter but she nervously looked over her shoulder every few minutes to be sure Shin hadn't returned yet.

"Ah, you have me cornered." Ozai stroked his beard as he gazed down over the gameboard. "But you'll have to do better than that." Moving a piece to capture her piece.

The two played a few games before Katara deemed it time to leave. Kya was kissed on the forehead by her father. She smiled at him and gestured her hands for him to stoop lower for her. The little girl reached through the bar to kiss him on the cheek. Katara saw this and her heart melted as Kya came racing up to take her hand.

In his cell, Ozai looked at the waterbender he had been married to once and thanked her for bringing his daughter to see him. Katara didn't know what the say back. Something else she wasn't used to hearing him say to her.

As Katara left, Ozai's gaze hardened and he slouched where he sat on the floor. Shin crept his way in from the window on the other side of the room.

"What beautiful waterbenders you have, your majesty. You must be a proud man." Shin tried buttering up the grumpy looking prisoner but failed.

Growling, Ozai told Shin to shut the hell up and get back to the ships. He had already given his instructions for a new plan. An attack on Bei Seng Sei needed to be implemented while he was in prison and be successfully completed by the time he left the Fire Nation. He was still scheming for his throne. That would never change but now he needed to clear Katara's name in the process somehow. But how?

…..

Maybe it was a bad time or something she just shouldn't do but Katara couldn't help herself. She just wanted to see her brother. It had been six years since the incident and the last time she saw him. She missed him, despite him looking anything but happy to see her.

Carrying a container of sweet plum cake that she made, Katara hoped to smooth things over with her brother with the sweets and an explanation for what she did. She didn't mean to hurt Toph and him. She just couldn't go through with another arranged marriage. It was too much. Besides, six years of exile was a lot. She felt it was time she was able to make some contact with her tribe and its members. But the only way to do that was through Sokka.

*Knock Knock*

Katara waited outside his door trying to think of what to say and trying to present a warm smile. This had to be perfect or Sokka would see right through her and see that she was frightened of him and what he'd say to her. La, she just wanted things to go back to how it was before.

Answering the door, Sokka found his younger sister standing in the doorway with a container and a smile. She looked at him warmly, almost too warmly. He didn't like it. Why was she here anyways? Hopefully, not to break the ice between them. Because that ship had sailed. He was done with her. She was the reason he lost his first child and why their tribe was going through a harsh winter without aid and support. He didn't want to talk to her, much less see her. He didn't know why his father sent him here. It was pointless, he didn't forgive her and never would.

"Hey, Sokka." Katara said nervously as she held out the container of sweet plum cake. "I was baking and thought you might want to try some of this recipe I picked up. It's really sweet."

Sokka said nothing as he stared numbly at her.

Feeling under great pressure, the nervous waterbender waited for him to take the container but he only stared at her so she retracted it. "I guess you don't eat sweets anymore. Probably should have asked what you'd like. I know it's been some time but we can make up for lost t-"

"I don't think that's necessary, Katara." Sokka began closing his door.

But Katara stuck her foot in its way and her face contorted with a pleading look, "Hey, can we at least talk? Clear things up and bury the hatchet?"

"No. That's not how things work with us anymore, Katara. You made it clear years ago that we weren't your family anymore. You chose them over us."

"Wait, no I didn't. I chose to not be used again. You don't know what Arnook was like when I stayed with him. He was-"

"And so was Ozai but you didn't seem to mind that. I bet it overjoys you to know he's alive."

Katara paused and furrowed her brows, "Wait, you knew?"

Narrowing his eyes, Sokka stepped up to her and glared down at her as he towered over her. "Everyone that voted for his execution knew the truth. He's an immortal. Killing him was impossible, trust me, we chopped his head off more than once."

Katara backed up and shook her head. She couldn't believe this. Everyone already knew. Everyone but her. Did they think she was going to try and betray them again? Did they think so lowly of her? Really?!

"Katara, look, I get you want to make things right. I know you do but I can't forgive you for what you did. Maybe dad and gran gran and a few others but not me. I'm not interested in your apology or whatever this is."

And Sokka slammed the door in her face, causing the container to fall out of her hands and spill on the floor.

Having walked by and witness the exchange, Daikoku saw the water woman crouching down to clean up the mess that was maid. He didn't understand whyshe didn't just call for a servant of someone to come clean it. He watched her as he heard her weeping as she cleaned. It bothered him a little to see her like that. For the last week he thought she was just a drunk with no depth to her but clearly there was more to her. No one cried like that after being shot down by their brother for nothing.

So, reluctantly, Daikoku decided he could watch no more. He walked over to the weeping water woman and crouched down to her. He began helping pick up the pieces of cake that were all on the floor.

The waterbender looked up to see him helping her and she sniffled up her tears. "Daikoku...what are you-"

"Shh, woman, I'm trying to help you. Don't ask questions." He told her.

Katara nodded her head and went back to picking up the mess. When they finished cleaning, the two stood up and looked at each other.

"I'm sorry about your brother, Lady Katara." He finally spoke her title. "I can see why you have been downing the liquor so much. Being rejected and cast out of your family must be a lot."

She said nothing as she gazed down and nodded, holding her container of ruined plum cake.

"I want to make it up to you for the trouble I've put you through. Join me for lunch tomorrow at my manor in the city. My brother should be there and I'm sure he will enjoy your company."

Katara really didn't know what to say now. He was inviting her over. Was this some sort of set up? Was Daikoku also in on Lao's projects? She didn't know but what she did know was that this was her chance to get close enough to get valuable information on Minister Fujioka and his ties to Lao's projects.

"Sure, I'll come." Katara wiped her eyes.

"Excellent, we'll head there after the council meeting tomorrow."

….

It was date night. A night to hopefully be remembered for the two powerful benders. They had waited a long time for this but finally it was here. Katara dressed in her Fire Nation disguise. Gold eye contacts. A dark hair wig that she pinned up with a butterfly hairpin. A dark red skirt that opened at the sides and a top that cut off just above her navel. She looked like she did during the war when they first arrived in the Fire Nation. She twirled around and giggled, feeling like that young girl all over again. She remember she had just turned seventeen that year and Zuko had joined their group. If tonight could feel like those days, then she was excited for it.

A knock came at her door and Katara opened it. It was the new caregiver for her daughter. A palace maid who had served the royal family for many years. She was a sweet old woman and Katara trusted that her daughter was in good hands.

"She's in the sitting room drawing so she shouldn't need too much watching for now. Just make sure she has her dinner." Katara instructed.

Nodding her head, "Yes, my Lady."

With that, Katara dashed off down the halls to the place where Zuko told her to meet him. The outer palace gardens. The ones closest to the palace walls. She arrived there on time to see Zuko show up at the same time as her. Her eyes lit up and she smiled at him. Excited for the night.

"Someone looks excited." Zuko remarked, loving how she looked tonight.

Beaming, Katara came up to him and pulled on his arm. "Tell me, Zuko. Where are we going first."

"Dinner." He said scratching his head. "I sort of skipped lunch today with all the meetings and paperwork I had to complete."

"Alright, then let's go!" She tugged his arm with her as they reached a tree that hung over the palace wall.

Zuko climbed it first as he was more dressed for climbing than Katara and offered her his hand to pull her up. As she grabbed his hand and he pulled her, the two crouched in the tree looking down to see if there were any guards beneath them patrolling. Zuko jumped down first and lifted his arms to catch her but just before she jumped down. A guard spotted them.

"Hey, you there!"

OH SHIT! They thought in unison. Katara hurried and fell into Zuko's arms. He placed her down on her feet and took her hand. Both running away from the guard yelling for them to come back. They ran and ran down the night time streets of the upper district of the city, laughing loudly as they did. When they stopped, close to the market district, the two had to catch their breaths. Laughing and running wasn't a good mix, at all.

"Agni, I can't breathe." Zuko laughed as he flopped on the ground.

Laughing just as hard, "I think we're off to a good start."

Standing back to his feet, Zuko laughed some more and looked over at the waterbender. "I still got it, I guess."

"Oh shut up!" Katara laughed even harder. "That wasn't you. Just poor timing."

The two did their best to get the laughter out of their system but failed epically as they both added insult to injury by cracking more jokes. Katara brought up how Zuko runs like a fireball was chasing him while Zuko commented on her tendency to fall a lot, she nearly took them both down several times.

When they finally recovered, Katara hung onto Zuko's arm as they simply walked down the streets. Her head leaned against his upper arm.

"I noticed you've been taking Kya to the prison." Zuko started a conversation.

Humming a 'yes', "She and Ozai get along. They understand each other without her having to sign to him. I thought it would be good for the both of them."

"Just be careful. My father and Azula were close and you saw how that turned out."

"I know but I sense this isn't like that." Katara smiled to herself. "He simply loves her."

"Still, be careful. My father can love you and still use you."

"I'll keep that in mind."

The couple arrived at their destination and greeted the host standing by the door of the restaurant. Zuko had made reservations earlier in the week upon Katara agreeing to go on a date with him. It was a nice place. Served Earth Kingdom cuisines and authentic air nomad pastries, recipes that were discovered during the genocide. This was a bit off putting when Zuko told her upon being seated but she was all for trying new dishes. It was about time she had something other than the Fire Nation food she ate all the time. She wasn't really a fan of the food though she'd scuff it down with little problem.

"What are you thinking about ordering?" Katara asked as she looked over the long and wide menu options.

Sighing to himself as he scratched his head, Zuko needed a minute. Some of the items he wasn't sure he read right as the names didn't make sense and the ingredients didn't sound right either.

"I think the wild mud-bull pie with gravy looks editable." Zuko cringed. He had no idea. "I think I picked the wrong place to eat."

Scoffing, "Well, I'm not going anywhere. This is the only place in possibly the whole country that doesn't load their food with hot ass spices. I'm staying right here and getting the spider-crab cream puffs and octo-steak."

"Fine." Zuko groaned, he guess he would just have to see what mub-bull pie and gravy tasted like but he wasn't so sure. Earth Kingdom food was very different from Fire Nation cuisines from what he remember from traveling abroad.

The two ordered their meals and conversed as they waited. Katara asked Zuko if he thought about going on vacation someday. He replied that he would love to. Possibly to Omashu or Bei Seng Sei to see his uncle but that was unlikely at the current time. Ozai was a problem again. He couldn't leave the throne unattended. Not when he was at risk of losing it.

"So not even a mini vacation to Ember Island?" Katara raised her brow with a smirk. "You'll get to see me in a bikini again. Like old times."

Rolling his eyes he chuckled, "Don't try to bribe me into taking you to the beach house."

"Oh come on Zuko, it'll be fun! Zhiar and Kya would have a blast. You and me can get away from the palace for a bit. You know I did come back early from my vacation."

Scoffing again, "Because four months wasn't enough of a vacation for you."

Katara laughed and as their food arrived and was placed down in front of them, her eyes lit up. Oh she was starving. She hoped it was as tasty as it all looked. Zuko didn't waste time tasting his food and when he did, he began diving right into it. The waterbender joined him and scarfed down her food. The two through manners and dining room etiquette out the window, disturbing some of the other guests. But it was thanks to their disguises that they didn't care to implement proper usage of table utensils as they ate with their hands, much like they had to do on their travels.

"I want to try." Katara tried sticking her fingers in his mud pie with gravy but he swatted her hand away.

Zuko eyed her and used the soup spoon to get some of the pie on it, he then told Katara to open her mouth. She did as he let her try it and when she did, she hummed happily.

"It's so delicious, Zuko! You have to bring me here again, promise?!"

"I promise."

It wasn't long before they finished their meal and cashed out with their waiter. Outside the restaurant, the two were hand in hand.

"Where to next?"

"A play, though I think we're a bit late."

"That's fine. I'll race you there."

Zuko raise his brows, "In that?" he looked her up and down.

Sliding off her shoes, Katara held them in one hand as she got in formation to take off running. "Yup."

Shaking his head as he chuckled and assumed position, "Fine but we both know who's going to win."

"Yeah, me!" And Katara took off.

Zuko ran after her, shouting she was cheating but Katara didn't care. All was fair in love and war.

Meeting Katara down at the theater, Zuko panted and called her cheater. Katara rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, pulling him in.

"Two tickets to the ballad of the two lovers." Zuko bought their tickets.

They rushed into the theater as the play was already ten minutes into its showing and took a seat at the balcony seats. Both of them cuddled in close to each other and watched the play unfold. It was a historical romance about two lovers that start as enemies but share a bond that would last lifetimes. They saw themselves in the play. Being that they were enemies once and now shared a connection that could not be broken despite all the attempts that had been made to do so.

There was a part where the male lead had married someone else after believing the female lead had died. They exchanged looks and then went back to watching.

"Forgive me, my love, for I thought you dead."

"I was only gone seven years, beloved. How could you believe me to be dead? I wrote you."

"You letters never reached me and besides, I had to make a family for myself. For an heir needs to be born to the throne."

Katara didn't like this part. It made her eyes twitch in annoyance. Why would the man move on? Why didn't he just wait for her? Zuko was more annoyed with the woman. Why didn't she get that she disappeared? Didn't she understand how royals operate? No heir no future, point blank.

When the play ended, Zuko and Katara left unsatisfied with the ending. They felt cheated out of their money. Never were they recommending this to anyone. Shitty play.

They walked out into the streets once again and said nothing to each other. Realizing the play felt too close to home. It bothered them and not in a good way. The play was perhaps the worst part of the night and not wanting to end the night on a bad note, Katara made a suggestion.

"How about we go get some drinks before we head back. I know this really great bar." She said with some enthusiasm.

I'm sure you do. Zuko mentally begrudged. But it wasn't a total bad idea. He couldn't think of the last time he had gotten himself drunk.

"Sure, why not?"

Worst idea ever! Katara started an argument in her drunken state with a man four times her size and Zuko was forced to step in. The two ended up facing off with an entire group and barely came out unscathed. Katara's wig was snatched off and her skirt was torn some more. She had bruises on her upper arm and shoulder area. Meanwhile, Zuko was sporting a bloody nose and a bruised eye, his good eye.

"We're not doing that again, Katara. Geez, you almost got us figured out." Zuko rubbed the side of his head.

With a toothy smile, Katara smiled widely. "I still had a great time, Zuko. Thank you."

Scoffing as he walked ahead of her, "Sure, I bet you got a kick out of causing trouble."

Shaking her head, "No, I just liked knowing what it's like to go on a date." She smiled at him as she ran up to him and clung to his arm.

Zuko paused and looked at her with his brow cocked, "What? You've never been on a date?"

"Of course not, Zuko." She giggled. "When would I have ever gone on a date?"

She had a good point there. The war and training the Avatar made it too busy for them to get away for a date. He knew he was her first boyfriend, so it wasn't like she ever had the chance to go on a date before. And he knew for a fact that his father wasn't as big of a ladies man as some would think. If not for his looks, wealth, and power, his father would just be an angry lonely man. So he couldn't see his father taking her on a date. He was fairly sure his father had never been on a date himself. The man wouldn't know the first thing to do on a date.

Something he thought about made Zuko laugh, "Can you see my father asking someone on a date?"

Katara cried laughing, "No! Your father would scare them into saying yes!"

"'Date me or die.' Zuko mimicked his father's voice. "Or something creepy like that."

"No, no, he'd be more like. 'Your loved ones are counting on you to make the right decision. Now be mine or they will suffer.'" Katara couldn't help laughing after saying that.

Zuko looked at her strangely. "Is that what he said to you?"

Laughing, Katara shrugged her shoulder. "Something like that."

Geez, he really doesn't know how to ask someone out. Zuko cringed.

The laughter simmered down after long as they were on their way back to the palace. The two of them enjoyed the nighttime air and the setting. It was beautiful at night when people would light their lanterns and illuminate the night like stars down below. But speaking of stars, Zuko saw a real star up above, fall across the canvas of night. He paused to watch it shoot from one end to another. Katara watched with him, holding to his arm.

They were quiet as they watched two more stars fall over the night sky. It was a sight they hadn't seen before. Three stars in one night. How unlikely to happen before them and yet it did.

Taking a deep breath of air as he watched the scene of the twinkling stars, Zuko remained looking up as he spoke. "At night when I sleep, I still dream about us getting married."

"Zuko?!" Katara looked at him with wide eyes.

Smiling as he gazed above, "In my dreams, we have a family together and you're happy. You just smile all day like you've been doing tonight. I dream about it almost every night."

The waterbender looked at him with a somber look as he remained watching the stars, "Zuko, that's nice and all but-"

"It's just a dream, Katara." Zuko brought his gaze down to her. "Relax, I'm not proposing to you or anything. It's just something I've wanted for a long time."

"I'm sorry." Katara said in a struggling tone. She didn't know what to say. She knew Zuko had loved her all this time, still but she didn't realize it was so deep. And for him to want to marry her. Even after her having been married to his father. She hurt knowing it could have been him she was married to instead and she knew he did too. That Kya and Zhiar could have been his children instead of his brother and sister.

"Don't be. I'm fine with dreaming. I've dreamed most of my life, I think." Zuko smiled at her. "Besides, in my dreams you don't start fights in bars or drink at any time of day. So I can settle for dream you."

As they looked back up at the sky. "Whatever."

"But Katara…"

"Yes?"

"Would you consider it? Us ever being married."

There was a small moment of silence before Katara was ready to give her answer but when she was about to, Zuko took her by both sides of her face and pressed his lips to hers. She stood still and stiff briefly before placing her hands on his and kissing him back.

They found their way back home and in Zuko's chambers pulling articles of clothes off one another. Katara jumped in his arms as he pressed her up against his bookcase and devoured her lips. She groaned into his mouth as he conquered hers, drawing her hands into his hair and gripping his scalp.

"Take me already, Zuko."

"I'm going to. Be patient."

"I can't wait any longer!" She said hysterically.

Carrying her to his bed, Zuko plopped her down on his bed and kissed her hard as he climbed on top of her. Her hands went to the waistband of his pants and started tugging them down. He grabbed her hands and pulled them above her head, pinning her down. His lips came off of hers as he looked down at her with a scowl.

"I said wait. I'm not trying to rush things."

Rolling her eyes, "And look where that's gotten us. Nowhere till now."

"Agni, you get on my nerves."

"Good." Katara smirked as she lifted her head up to capture his lips, "Now think of that when you're doing me. I like it rough."

Good cause I'm not holding back anymore.

In the morning, Katara found herself being woken up to the sun beaming through the window. She hissed and rolled over so to get it from her eyes and as she did, she saw the pale bare torso of Zuko. Instantly, last night played in her head and she squirmed from the way it all felt to her. Unlike the first time they had sex, this was amazing. Her hand reached to his torso and her hand touched his warm skin. Upon doing this, the firebender woke with his hand cuffing her wrist and his eyes pinning her in place. She smiled suggestively at him as he pulled her to him.

In his arms, she snuggled in close to him, breathing in his smokey scent.

"Let's do it again." Katara grinned as she tried pressing her lips to his.

Stopping her as he smiled back at her, "We're already late. You've got prison duty and I need to get to my meeting with my advisors." Zuko told her.

"Then tonight? See if we can make a repeat of last night's escapade." Katara said seductively.

Biting his lip, "Tonight's fine by me."

"Good." she kissed him hard on the lips before sitting up and tossing the covers off. "Because I'm going to need it once the day is over. Daikoku invited me to his manor to meet his brother, Yoshiro. I think it might be my only opportunity to get more information about Lao and his experiments."

Zuko wrapped his arm around her waist and brushed her hair out of her face. "Be safe."

"I will." and she kissed him again.

…..

Arriving late with breakfast, Katara rushed to Ozai's cell and peeked her head in for any sign of Shin.

"I sent him away." Ozai said as he laid on his back, staring at the ceiling with his arms behind his head.

Coming in, the waterbender came up to his cell and knelt down as she always did. She removed the top as she pushed the tray under the bars.

Ozai looked over and sighed, staring at her with his intense but soft gaze. He felt like there was something different about her. Something off. So he sat up and pulled his tray to him and began eating. The two sat in silence for a moment or so till he finished. To him, the fact that she didn't leave already meant she had something to say. He wondered what.

Can't tell him about me and Zuko. Ozai would be pissed off again and she wasn't ready to go back to being called a whore. But there was something she could tell him. Something that was actually on her mind a lot.

"My brother, he's here." Katara told him. "But I think he hates me after I did something I can't take back."

Sighing, "Don't tell me, is it about us?"

"No, this I did myself." Katara began telling him about her and Arnook. How he wanted to marry her, how he took her kindness while he was prisoner as something more than it was. "He proposed to me shortly after speaking with my father about a full fledged alliance. And…"

She said yes just like she said yes to Ozai. This was an opportunity for her people that she couldn't deny them. She said yes and Arnook whisked her off to the North Pole.

"I was going to be his second wife. A wife with more freedom and leniency than the first so I figured it would be no problem. I thought I would be okay with this. It was my path to redemption but I didn't know he actually had feelings for me."

Katara recalled the night he invited her to dinner with him and his first wife, who seemed equally happy to have her. It would seem Arnook had his eye on her since she was just fourteen and had visited with the Avatar. She picked this up from his wife who spoke a lot. Arnook barely said a word that whole dinner but when he walked her back to her keep of the ice palace, he guilted her into bed.

"It was the worse. I felt used and disgusting. Like he only wanted me for my body. I was just some young pretty girl he wanted to wave around and say was his. It was like the beginning of our marriage all over again but worse because I couldn't make him stop touching me. He said he wouldn't tolerate it and if I used my siren powers on him, he'd know right away."

Ozai watched as she wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.

"I decided I couldn't go through with the marriage like he wanted, like my father wanted, like everyone else wanted. I couldn't. Zuko told me to come with him. I was afraid at first, afraid he'd try to offer the proposition of marriage to me but he offered me sanctuary. So I walked down the aisle and I told Arnook I couldn't. He got angry and tried to have the guards apprehend me so I collapsed the entire temple on us and everyone. And my brother lost his unborn child that day."

Having listened to her story, Ozai didn't know what he was supposed to think other than he shouldn't have let Arnook live. That bastard had his grubby hands on his waterbender. And that wasn't all, Arnook thought he could keep her for himself. Ozai could laugh at that. He knew despite the hurt and pain he had caused his waterbender, that she would never marry another but him.

"And side from my brother hating me, Arnook will be here in a few days to see me. He wants to work out another deal, I think. His letter seemed very specific about what he wants."

"And what do you want, Katara?"

Shrugging her shoulders, "I just want to be redeemed."

"Oh, I see. You've hung around my son so long that you're going around chasing something that is intangible. Something you have to find in yourself. You want the world to forgive you?" Ozai scoffed. "But you can't even forgive yourself."

"What are you saying?"

Rolling his eyes, "Arnook's coming to offer you another deal, right? He's going to prey on your desire to be forgiven, he'll know when he sees you that you want a way back into your tribe. Hell, even I can see it in your eyes. And with your brother's scorn pressuring you, we both know you're going to agree to his terms."

"I won't!"

"But you will, Katara. And how do I know, you're looking at me with those same vulnerable eyes I saw the first day I met you." Ozai stood up and gazed down at her with a somber grin. "Nothing's change, Katara. You're still weak like I warned you not to be. That's why you drink, why you cry to yourself at night, why you won't demand the respect you deserve. You're a mere water girl from the south pole, what would you know about taking charge of your own life. Why else would you be leaning on my son for support if you did?"

Katara looked up at Ozai as she stayed kneeling on the floor. She could see in his eyes that he wasn't trying to hurt her feelings. He was merely making an observation. And he wasn't wrong. Dropping her gaze, Katara hated this. She hated that she felt so helpless and weak. She had no idea what to do.

"Isn't it obvious, dear? Do what you want." He crouched down to her. "That or raise hell, we both know you enjoy doing that."

The waterbender's eyes widened.

Ozai reached his hand out from the cell bars and touched her head. "Forgive yourself, waterbender. You did nothing wrong. It was my fault. All of it."

…..

A/N:

Aww, At the end of the day Ozai loves his waterbender. He might be a terrible person with a toxic idea of relationships but I give him points for trying. Nobody's perfect. And I know you guys hate Shin, I hate him too but his part will continue to grow over the next chapters as he is still vital to the story. Sorry everyone! And for those that like the Children so far in the story they also have a big role to play in this story. So thanks for reading! I'll see you guys soon with another chapte